Inflating and life saving device



G. A." EVENDEN El AL 1,978,104

INFLATING AND LIFE SAVING DEVICE Oct; 23, 1934.

Filed Aug. 25, 1935 GED/i=6? f 14 44 504 I attorney 1:29 fully described, illustrated in the accompanying Patented Oct. 23, 1934 F, 1

" INFLATING AND LIFESHVINGDEVIGETM k George Alois Evenden and George F. Wilson,- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Application August 25, 1933, Serial No. 686,704

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in life saving apparatus for the personal use of swimmers and others similarly exposed to water perils. It consists essentially of a collapsible or foldable bag composed of impermeable material connected at its closed end by means of flexible tubing to a pneumatic buoy adapted to be affixed to or worn on the person of the user.

One important object of the invention is to provide an emergency device for the purpose of inflating a normally deflated pneumatic buoy for the support in the Water of an exhausted or otherwise imperiled swimmer and the like.

Another important object is to provide a device of the'kind described which will be simple, durable, effective, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter drawing and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inflation device as constructed in accordance with this invention and shown in connection with a pneumatic life buoy,

Figure 2 is a general view, on a reduced scale showing the closed end of the bag protruding from a pocket in the costume of the wearer, who is also shown, where it is normally stowed in packed or folded form for emergency use;

Figure 3 is a similar View showing the bag extended above the water as in a primary step of its use;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the bag submerged as in a late step of its use;

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the bag cast off and trailing the life buoy subsequent to use; and,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary view of the bag rim shown sectionally.

In its present embodiment the invention consists preferably of an infundibular bag 10 formed of flexible impermeable material such as, for instance, rubber or rubberized cloth. This material should be light as well as durable since the bag is normally folded into a pack for stowing in a pocket 11 (Figure 2), or elsewhere conveniently about the costume of the wearer, as beneath a belt, or tucked between the costume and the person of the wearer at the arm or neck margins, so that at least a portion of the closed end of the bag protrudes in order that it may be quickly grasped by the fingers.

The bag is preferably provided with a stiffening ring 12 at its mouth margin or rim (Figure 6). This ring is relatively elastic and may be,

for instance, in the form of light rubber tubing enclosed in the tubular hem 13. The relatively stifiened hem of the bag may therefore be capable of being folded alongwith the balance of the bag, but when the bag is released it tends to open wide the mouth for the free admission of worn in any suitable location, but as an illustration it is shown as a conventional tubular ring adapted to be worn around the body beneath the shoulders as shown. It is, of course, normally In use, the closed end of the bag protruding ifrom the pocket is grasped and the bag withdrawn. It immediately unfolds, its mouth opening under the influence of the stiffening ring. It is forthwith projected into the atmosphere in an inverted depending position (Figure 3) where it dilates by the influx of air. At this stage the closed end of the bag is released, and next grasping the rim of the bag, it is submerged, still in inverted position (Figure 4), to a point below the buoy, where the hitherto retained air in the bag under water pressure passes to the buoy through the tube 15. The bag is then cast off (Figure 5).

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and deconnecting said buoy with said bag at a point removed from the mouth of the latter.

2. In a life saving apparatus for those imperiled in the water, a pneumatic buoy adaptable for attachment to the person, an open ended bag of impervious material approximating the moderately inflated capacity of said buoy, and a tube connecting said buoy with said bag at the closed portion of the latter.

3. In a life saving apparatus for those imperiled in the water, a pneumatic buoy adaptable for attachment to the person, an infundibular bag of impervious material approximating the moder- 

